The studio and its Illumination division have hired Peter Candeland to direct an animated version of the Dr. Seuss classic.

Universal and its Illumination Entertainment division are developing a 3D animated version of the Dr. Seuss classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas!Peter Candeland is set to direct, with Illumination CEO ChrisMeledandri producing. Audrey Geisel, widow of Dr. Seuss author Theodor Geisel, will executive produce.

Grinch, written in 1957, famously was adapted in 1966 into a half-hour TV animated special that continues to air during the holiday season. Universal made a live-action film version in 2000 starring Jim Carrey. Despite offending Seuss purists, it grossed $260 million domestically. That movie set in motion a relationship between Universal and the Geisel estate, which collaborated on a 2003 live-action The Cat in the Hat film starring Mike Myers ($101 million domestic).

Meledandri also has a history with Seuss adaptations. He executive produced Fox's 2008 animated version of Horton Hears a Who!, which led to him making 2012's The Lorax under his Illumination banner at Universal.

Candeland is an up-and-coming director of commercials and music videos with no major film credits. He is repped by Verve.